The I Corps Teams Experience

Summary

In this engaging interview, Beth Lindbergh, a research scientist from the University of Minnesota, shares her experience with the iCorps national teams program. She highlights the program's emphasis on customer feedback and identifying unmet needs over technology promotion. The team undertook a rigorous process of conducting 100 customer interviews, refining their understanding of target audiences. Through the program, they learned to focus on more relevant customer segments and developed a solid, customer-driven business plan. Beth encourages others to consider the iCorps program for valuable insights and growth opportunities in their projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 The National I-Corps program offers teams the opportunity to gain honest feedback and constructive criticism on their projects.
• 😀 The interview process for the I-Corps program is intense, focusing on identifying potential customers and their unmet needs rather than just the technology itself.
• 😀 Teams are required to conduct a significant number of 'Voice of the Customer' interviews to ensure they understand real customer needs.
• 😀 The program challenges participants to refine their interview styles and question techniques to extract valuable insights.
• 😀 During the in-person sessions, teams are encouraged to engage with as many people as possible to gather diverse feedback.
• 😀 Team members have distinct roles, including entrepreneurial leads and industry mentors, which contribute to a well-rounded approach.
• 😀 One major learning from the program is accurately identifying the right customer base, as initial assumptions may be incorrect.
• 😀 The program emphasizes the importance of a customer-driven business plan, using tools like the business canvas model.
• 😀 Successful completion of the program leads to a solid foundation for developing a business plan tailored to customer needs.
• 😀 Participants are encouraged to reach out to I-Corps contacts for more information on the application process and expectations.

Q & A

What motivated Beth's team to apply for the iCore national teams program?

Beth's team applied for the iCore program to gain honest feedback, constructive criticism, and advice on how to move forward with their research.

What was the interview process like for the iCore program?

The interview was intense and focused on identifying potential customers and understanding their unmet needs rather than just discussing the team's technology.

What was the main focus of the iCore national teams program?

The program emphasized focusing on customers' unmet needs rather than the product or solution itself.

How many 'Voice of the Customer' interviews were participants required to conduct?

Participants were asked to conduct 100 interviews with potential customers during the program.

What was a key challenge during the first in-person session?

The challenge was to talk to at least 20 people within three days, which the team successfully achieved.

Who were the members of Beth's team and what were their roles?

The team included Tim O'Brien (Principal Investigator), Amanda Vigo (Technical Lead), Greg Molnar (Industry Mentor), and Beth Lindbergh (Entrepreneurial Lead).

What did Beth's team learn about their customers during the program?

They learned that their initial target customers were not likely to be interested for several years, and that they should focus on upstream groups that would be more relevant.

What tool did Beth's team use to develop their business plan?

They used the business canvas model as a template for their business plan.

How did the program impact the focus of their business plan?

The program helped them create a business plan that is very customer-driven and focused, which is crucial for their success.

What resources are available for those interested in the iCore national teams program?

Interested individuals can contact iCore for more information about the application process and NSF expectations.